nd to secure the rights
of succession, should be clearly set forth in a way to render the
instrument valid at the most remote period, should there ever arrive a
necessity to recur to it in the way of testimony. The most eager attention
pervaded the crowd as they listened to these little particulars, and
Adelheid trembled in this delicate part of the proceedings, as the
suppressed but still audible breathing of Sigismund reached her ear, lest
something might occur to give a rude shock to his feelings. But it would
seem the notary had his cue. The details touching Christine were so
artfully arranged, that while they were perfectly binding in law, they
were so dexterously concealed from the observation of the unsuspecting,
that no attention was drawn to the point most apprehended by their
exposure. Sigismund breathed freer when the notary drew near the end of
his task, and Adelheid heard the heavy breath he drew at the close, with
the joy one feels at the certainty of having passed an imminent danger.
Christine herself seemed relieved, though hor inexperience in a great
degree prevented her from foreseeing all that the greater practice of
Sigismund had led him to anticipate.

"This is quite in rule, and naught now remains but to receive the
signatures of the respective parties and their friends," resumed the
bailiff. "A happy menage is like a well-ordered state, a foretaste of the
joys and peace of Heaven; while a discontented household and a turbulent
community may be likened at once to the penalties and the pains of hell!
Let the friends of the parties step forth, in readiness to sign when the
principals themselves shall have discharged this duty."

A few of the relatives and associates of Jacques Colis moved out of the
crowd and placed themselves at the side of the bridegroom, who immediately
wrote his own name, like a man impatient to be happy. A pause succeeded,
for all were curious to see who claimed affinity to the trembling girl on
this the most solemn and important event of her life. An interval of
several minutes elapsed, and no one appeared. The respiration of Sigismund
became more difficult; he seemed about to choke, and then yielding to a
generous impulse, he arose.

"For the love of God!--for thine own sake!--for mine! be not too hasty!"
whispered the terrified Adelheid; for she saw the hot glow that almost
blazed on his brow.

"I cannot desert poor Christine to the scorn of the world, in a moment
like th